CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (February 28) — The municipal government of Calamba is retooling its public-private sector strategy, betting that a leaner government role and stronger business climate can accelerate local growth.
Mayor Luisito Villanueva announced the shift during the “Let’s Talk MisOcc” virtual talk show, saying the town will focus government intervention on core infrastructure while allowing entrepreneurs to drive economic activity.
“The local government unit will intervene only in areas where the private sector will not invest, such as roads, bridges and irrigation,” Villanueva said.
The approach signals a recalibration rather than expansion of state involvement — concentrating public funds on backbone projects meant to unlock private capital.
Once a landlocked barrio of Plaridel some 78 years ago, Calamba has grown into a municipality of more than 24,000 people spread across 7,800 hectares. Today, it hosts 1,491 micro to macro business establishments, according to the mayor.
Villanueva said the town’s strategic location at the crossroads of neighboring municipalities gives it a natural edge for trade and services — an advantage the local government hopes to maximize through improved connectivity and streamlined support for entrepreneurs.
The pivot reflects a broader push among smaller Mindanao towns to sharpen competitiveness: build the roads and irrigation systems, cut red tape, and let businesses scale.
For Calamba, the wager is clear — strengthen the foundations, and let the market move.
